Yasutaka Tsutsui


Yasutaka Tsutsui is a Japanese novelist, science fiction author, and actor. His Yumenokizaka bunkiten won the Tanizaki Prize in 1987. He has also won the 1981 Izumi Kyoka award, the 1989 Kawabata Yasunari award, and the 1992 Nihon SF Taisho Award.

Writing style

His work is known for its dark humour and satirical content. He has often satirized Japanese taboos such as disabilities and the Tenno system, and has been victim to much criticism as a result. His works are seen as the basis for Japan's postmodern science fiction. Features of his work include psychoanalysis and surrealism, which were themes of his 1957 master's thesis. He has dealt with themes such as time travel in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, a massively multiplayer online game's virtual world in Gaspard in the Morning, and dream worlds in Paprika.

Adaptations

One of Tsutsui's first novels, Toki o Kakeru Shōjo, has been adapted into numerous media including film, television and manga. Another novel, Paprika, was adapted into an animated film by the director Satoshi Kon in 2006. Many other works, including the four-part novel Fugō Keiji, have been dramatized on Japanese television.

Controversies

Tsutsui has gained notoriety for his politically incorrect humor and views. On April 4, 2017, Tsutsui was criticized because he posted "That girl is cute. Everyone, let's go and ejaculate in front of her and shower her with semen." on his Twitter. It was in reference to Statue of Peace, a statue that symbolizes victims of sexual slavery during World War II. The tweet has long since been deleted. Tsutsui also later backtracked on his claims and apologized for it. However, he is currently banned in South Korea.

English translations

The novel What the Maid Saw, translated by Adam Kabat, was published by Kodansha America Inc. in 1990, and again by Alma Books as The Maid in 2010.
Salmonella Men on Planet Porno, a collection of short stories translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books in October 2006 and again by Pantheon Books in 2008.
The novel Hell, translated by Evan Emswiler, was published by Alma Books in October 2007.
The novel Paprika, translated by Andrew Driver, was published by Alma Books in April 2009 and again by Vintage Contemporaries in 2013.
The novella The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, translated by David Karashima, was published by Alma Books in April 2011.
The collection of short stories, translated by Andrew Driver, was published in July 2017 by Kurodahan Press.

Works

Besides numerous film and TV acting credits, Yasutaka Tsutsui has published dozens of novels and short story collections, and records in Japan.

Series

Nanase Trilogy